76 replies to this topic

[Matthew Winn]

This is a tabloid newspaper article. The intended readership isn't going to be clued up on the fine distinctions between a standby, alternate or understudy. It's best not to read too much into the wording.

[Annasette]

It sounds possibly as if there is going to be an alternate for Tuesday and Thursday (more than one Nancy from the show?), who will also be first cover for the other days. So they needed a separate first cover for the alternate's days.....?

But I don't get how ALW is supposed to have been involved either. It wouldn't have been up to him to sign her for anything to do with Nancy.

[freckles]

It sounds possibly as if there is going to be an alternate for Tuesday and Thursday (more than one Nancy from the show?), who will also be first cover for the other days. So they needed a separate first cover for the alternate's days.....?

But I don't get how ALW is supposed to have been involved either. It wouldn't have been up to him to sign her for anything to do with Nancy.

That would make sense BUT I simply don't believe this story. From the Sunday Mirror:
  "I can't believe my luck," said Tanya, who has no experience of working in the theatre.

"I'm going to be Nancy and it's all happened without even having to go on TV."

Why on earth would anyone employ a completely inexperienced unknown as cover, alternate, or anything?
And you're right, it would not be ALW's decision to cast a role of this nature in Cam Mac's production!

Either this is an experienced actress with a fake back story, or more likely she was commented upon favourably at her son's audition and someone has built up this story out of nothing.

[Tintin]

Since when did the Sunday Mirror get anything right?

[freckles]

Since when did the Sunday Mirror get anything right?

Fair point!

[shiningstars]

That would make sense BUT I simply don't believe this story. From the Sunday Mirror:
  "I can't believe my luck," said Tanya, who has no experience of working in the theatre.

"I'm going to be Nancy and it's all happened without even having to go on TV."

Why on earth would anyone employ a completely inexperienced unknown as cover, alternate, or anything?
And you're right, it would not be ALW's decision to cast a role of this nature in Cam Mac's production!

Either this is an experienced actress with a fake back story, or more likely she was commented upon favourably at her son's audition and someone has built up this story out of nothing.

Just to let everybody know, she may not have any experience in theatre, so that could be true, but I know somebody who knows her- I THINK her son goes to SY but I'll check that (not that that's entirely significant...) and also she has a performing arts degree.

They don't mention that!!

[freckles]

Just to let everybody know, she may not have any experience in theatre, so that could be true, but I know somebody who knows her- I THINK her son goes to SY but I'll check that (not that that's entirely significant...) and also she has a performing arts degree.

They don't mention that!!

Hmmm...so she could be like "Nancy Nancy"; the girl from the auditions who was filmed at home on her council estate, a real salt-of-the-earth Cockerney, who turned out to be a professional and was shortly afterwards cast as Eponine in Les Mis?

(I'm not knocking her BTW, just the way the bbc portrayed her!)

[Annasette]

Of course Nancy isn't a role that "demands" two days off a week. But that doesn't mean that they wouldn't happen, particularly if the intention is to go with an untrained girl. And I don't think an "Oliver" tour is going to employ half the unsuccessful candidates this time! So I do think there is a possibility that they will want to hang on to one of the others to cover themselves in case of problem, to cover holidays and to potentially take over. It didn't happen with Connie or Lee Mead, but there is always the possibility that, for whatever reason, an extension to the initial 6 month contract either won't be offered or won't be accepted.

One issue that has occurred to me is that both Maria and Joseph are very much the primary roles that the shows have hung on. And both Connie and Lee Mead were/are purportedly being very, very well paid to continue. But Nancy isn't a primary role, and the show (particularly when with Rowan Atkinson) isn't going to be as effectively reliant on whoever wins the role. So although "Oliver" is already guaranteed to make big profits, and the pay will still presumably be well over standard, I am not so sure that the same sort of financial incentive to stay on will apply.